EP0401411A1 - Combined above and below grade dwelling with marine habitat - Google Patents
Combined above and below grade dwelling with marine habitat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0401411A1 EP0401411A1 EP89110411A EP89110411A EP0401411A1 EP 0401411 A1 EP0401411 A1 EP 0401411A1 EP 89110411 A EP89110411 A EP 89110411A EP 89110411 A EP89110411 A EP 89110411A EP 0401411 A1 EP0401411 A1 EP 0401411A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- levels
- marine life
- housing assembly
- cohabitation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 66
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 238000009412 basement excavation Methods 0.000 abstract description 9
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 5
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000010006 flight Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000014653 Carica parviflora Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000283153 Cetacea Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000243321 Cnidaria Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001125840 Coryphaenidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000003287 bathing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009435 building construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003749 cleanliness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000295 fuel oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H3/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for public or similar purposes; Institutions, e.g. infirmaries or prisons
- E04H3/10—Buildings or groups of buildings for public or similar purposes; Institutions, e.g. infirmaries or prisons for meetings, entertainments, or sports
- E04H3/14—Gymnasiums; Other sporting buildings
- E04H3/16—Gymnasiums; Other sporting buildings for swimming
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K63/00—Receptacles for live fish, e.g. aquaria; Terraria
- A01K63/003—Aquaria; Terraria
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
- E04H1/02—Dwelling houses; Buildings for temporary habitation, e.g. summer houses
- E04H1/04—Apartment houses arranged in two or more levels
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H14/00—Buildings for combinations of different purposes not covered by any single one of main groups E04H1/00-E04H13/00 of this subclass, e.g. for double purpose; Buildings of the drive-in type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
- B63B2035/4426—Stationary floating buildings for human use, e.g. floating dwellings or floating restaurants
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A30/00—Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation
Definitions
- This invention relates generally, to the construction of buildings, and more particularly, to an improved combination of multi-unit living or other areas in conjunction with a relatively large body of contained water adapted to provide a habitat for marine life.
- Submerged off-shore facilities have been provided, to allow visitors to observe marine life, both as contained in tanks therein, as well as in the surrounding seat water.
- An example of such an installation will be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,186,532 issued February 5, 1980 to Kahn.
- Another example of an off-shore facility is shown in British Pat. No. 23,335 dated October 3, 1913. In both of the above examples, visitors use a stairway to pass between connected, above-water and below-water observation levels.
- the present invention offers an improvement over the above mentioned public facilities and wherein, an on-shore building construction is provided, having a plurality of separate living or other type of units, arranged in a unique manner in combination with an adjacent containment of water whereby, residents or users are provided with the ultimate in close association with marine life residing therein.
- an object of the present invention to provide an improved installation offering a dwelling combined with a marine habitat including an on-shore multi-family housing unit or other type multi-room installation provided with an immediately adjacent water containment having resident aquatic animals allowing users to freely move between the various units and to have direct access to the water housing the marine life.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a substantially circular residential, office or recreational building having a plurality of separate units disposed on multiple horizontal or vertical levels, with an adjacent concentrically disposed containment of water provided with resident marine life.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a building having a plurality of separate living quarters or other units located on multiple vertical or horizontal levels adjacent a containment of water having marine life therein and wherein at least one building level is disposed below ground level.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a ring or otherwise shaped building unit having multi-levels each containing a plurality of individual living quarters or rooms, some above and other below grade and with an adjacent, body of water provided with aquatic animals.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a circular, oval or otherwise configured multi-level housing structure wherein certain levels are disposed below ground level with a juxtaposed body of water and wherein access is provided to individual family units on both sides of the circular structure.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a ring-like residential housing structure surrounding a containment of water with resident marine life therein and wherein a central-most island is provided and accessible from the inner side of the housing structure.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dwelling installation combined with a marine habitat including a housing structure having a plurality of units on multiple levels and wherein a water containment housing marine life is immediately juxtaposed at least one such level, with direct visual and body access to the water being provided to users of the installation.
- the housing structure H comprises a plurality of levels of stories 2-7 preferably forming an endless or continuous arrangement such as a ring or circular shape. Alternatively, other configurations may be employed such as oval or polygonal configurations.
- the advantages of a closed or continuous configuration will become apparent hereinafter.
- the housing structure H is erected within an excavation 8 formed within the soil 9.
- This excavation 8 extends below the grade or ground level 10 a sufficient depth to allow for the erection of one or more of the building levels below grade as reflected in the drawing.
- Figure 1 illustrates levels 2,3 and 4 erected above grade while levels 5,6 and 7 are disposed below grade but it will be apparent that an alternate number of stories may be erected above and below ground, respectively.
- the lowermost level may be constructed directly at grade level.
- the excavation 8 is formed with an outer wall 11 adjacent to the external configuration of the housing structure outside wall 12.
- the inner wall 13 of the excavation 8 is preferably likewise circular and will be seen to be well spaced inwardly of the building inside wall 14 such that a concentric, relatively enlarged excavated area 15 is provided immediately adjacent the building inside wall 14 and radially extends from this latter wall to the inner wall 13.
- the floor 16 of the excavation 8 will be seen to comprise a water containment section 17 and the adjacent building section 18. These two sections may be coplanar as shown or alternatively, disposed at two different levels, as will be described.
- the water containment W may be constructed so as to position it at any one or more other levels, besides those shown in the drawing.
- An island 19 may be provided within the confines of the excavation inner wall 13, the latter of which is preferably concentric with the building structure walls 12 and 14, but which may also assume any desired configuration.
- the top or upper surface 20 of the island may be disposed at various elevations. As shown in the drawing, this surface 20 is located substantially at the level of grade 10 but may be formed above or, even below grade 10, as desired.
- Each housing structure story 2-7 includes a plurality of adjacent, individual units F, each of which may comprise a self-contained family unit or living quarters having any desired number of rooms which may be alternatively configured, or alternatively, office space or recreation rooms, etc.
- family unit is to be construed to refer to any desired residential or office enclosure, suitably configured interiorly as desired.
- each unit F may fully extend between the outside and inside walls 12, 14 or may comprise radially adjacent units F′,F′ such as shown in Figure 1. In the former instance, each unit F may have access from either building wall 12, 14 while in the latter case, each unit F′ will be accessed from its respective building wall 12 or 14. In this respect it will be understood that each unit F and F′ may include an appropriate door 12a, 14a in the wall 12 or 14.
- Each of the building levels may be provided with an external balcony or walkway which may completely encircle the structure H.
- balconies or walkways 21 are provided along the outside wall 12 while balconies or walkways 22 are located along the inside wall 14 from the level of the water containment W, upwardly.
- occupants of any unit F or F′ by using the appropriate door 12a, 14a, may walk to any angular location of the building structure H.
- a plurality of arcuately spaced apart stairway assemblies 23 are provided adjacent the building outside wall 12 with individual flights 24 providing communication between each vertically adjacent building walkway 21.
- the stairway assemblies may be equi-spaced about the periphery of the building and may comprise any desired number of stairways so as to provide ease of movement by the occupants, between their respective unit F,F′ and the adjacent ground level 10.
- the excavation outer wall 11 radially extends beyond the building outer wall 12. In this manner, the stairway flights 24 leading to those building levels 5-7 below the ground level 10, are readily accommodated.
- a plurality of inside stairways 25 similarly connect the vertically adjacent balconies or walkways 22 on the inside wall 14 of the building structure H that is, with respect to those stories 2-3 located substantially above the level of the island top surface 20.
- This latter access means of stairways 25 may be radially aligned with the previously described outside stairways 23 and communicate therewith by means of radial passageways 26, each disposed between selected adjacent family units F or F′ on those levels 2-3 located above grade level.
- the excavated area 15 between the island 19 and inside building wall 14 is intended to retain water 27 to provide the containment W serving as a habitat for aquatic animals, such as dolphins or porpoises.
- the outer boundary of this water body will be understood to be provided by an adequately reinforced building inside wall 14, while an appropriate structure base 28 is disposed upon the excavation floor 17 and a vertical wall 29 surrounds the island 19. Quite obviously that portion of the building inside wall 14 located below grade 10 will be constructed of suitable strength to adequately withstand the pressure of the water 27 within the containment W.
- at least one window 31 is provided within the inside wall 14 of each family unit F in the lower levels 5-7.
- the close relationship between the occupants and the marine life is further enhanced by the provision of underwater microphones 33 within the confines of the water 27 and which may be mounted upon any of the three surfaces containing the water, such as the inside housing wall 14.
- the microphones are connected to a speaker 34 located within each living quarters F,F′ and regulated by suitable switch/volume means (not shown) so that any occupant may selective listen to the distinctive sounds made by the marine life within the water 27.
- suitable switch/volume means not shown
- appropriate underwater lighting units 35 are also provided.
- the structural island wall 24 may be painted or otherwise adorned with any desirable pictorial scenes such as, aquatic plant life, coral etc.
- Occupants of the housing structure H may readily utilize the top surface 20 of the island 19 for various recreational purposes such as sun bathing, picknicking etc. and access thereto is provided by one or more cross-overs or bridges 36 extending from the lowermost one of the inside walkways 22, to the island top surface 20.
- one such bridge 36 is radially aligned with each of the passageways 26 extending through the housing structure.
- users may proceed, say from their automobile parked outside the installation 1, directly through the nearest passageway 26 through the structure H, and over one of the bridges 36 to the island.
- users will be free to swim in the water 27, either from the surface 20 or the walkway 22 located adjacent the containment W.
- the inclusion of the island is not necessary but may be included as a possible refinement, since the water level 41 may be disposed adjacent any one of the housing structure levels and thereby provide direct access to the water 27.
- the temperature of ther water 27 may be regulated through conduits 39 embedded within the structural base 28 and which may be supplied with temperature-regulated air or liquid as delivered from the equipment 37, the latter of which may be operated by electricity, gas or fuel oil.
- Other equipment within the service room 38 will be understood to operate to maintain the purity or cleanliness of the water and may include well known devices such as filters and automatic testing devices.
- a suitable pipeline 40 will lead from the service room 38 to the nearest point of the sea water.
- the maintenance of the proper salinity in the water 27 may be readily achieved by periodically cycling into the containment W, measured volumes of fresh sea water as drawn through the pipeline 40.
- the equipment 37 includes a reversible pump so that water may be directed into as well as out of the containment W. This allows maintenance of the water level 41 at the desired point and permits draining and re-supply of the water,
- the pipeline 40 may be utilized thusly, both as a supply pipe as well as a drain line.
- a holding tank 42 is provided in the level 5.
- Such tank occupies the space of one or more family units F and includes closure means such as a displaceable door or gate 43 in the area of the inside wall 14.
- water 27 from the containment W is allowed to continue to co-mingle with that within the tank in order to maintain consistent physical and chemical parameters of the water.
- the containment W is to be drained, then the door 43 would obviously be sealed, in a water-tight manner.
- the same mechanical equipment 37 servicing the containment W will also be utilized to service water as retained in the holding tank 42.
- a dome-like enclosure or roof 44 is provided and which fully spans the open space between the inside wall.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
- Revetment (AREA)
- Artificial Fish Reefs (AREA)
- Sewage (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
- Working Measures On Existing Buildindgs (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates generally, to the construction of buildings, and more particularly, to an improved combination of multi-unit living or other areas in conjunction with a relatively large body of contained water adapted to provide a habitat for marine life.
- THe popularity of observatories or aquariums for the display of living aquatic animals is well recognized. Numerous facilities have been constructed to provide a public display of marine life such as the open-air, tank installations in the state of Florida and the various enclosed aquariums. Many such facilities often operate under standing-room-only conditions.
- Submerged off-shore facilities have been provided, to allow visitors to observe marine life, both as contained in tanks therein, as well as in the surrounding seat water. An example of such an installation will be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,186,532 issued February 5, 1980 to Kahn. Another example of an off-shore facility is shown in British Pat. No. 23,335 dated October 3, 1913. In both of the above examples, visitors use a stairway to pass between connected, above-water and below-water observation levels.
- The present invention offers an improvement over the above mentioned public facilities and wherein, an on-shore building construction is provided, having a plurality of separate living or other type of units, arranged in a unique manner in combination with an adjacent containment of water whereby, residents or users are provided with the ultimate in close association with marine life residing therein.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved installation offering a dwelling combined with a marine habitat including an on-shore multi-family housing unit or other type multi-room installation provided with an immediately adjacent water containment having resident aquatic animals allowing users to freely move between the various units and to have direct access to the water housing the marine life.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a substantially circular residential, office or recreational building having a plurality of separate units disposed on multiple horizontal or vertical levels, with an adjacent concentrically disposed containment of water provided with resident marine life.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a building having a plurality of separate living quarters or other units located on multiple vertical or horizontal levels adjacent a containment of water having marine life therein and wherein at least one building level is disposed below ground level.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a ring or otherwise shaped building unit having multi-levels each containing a plurality of individual living quarters or rooms, some above and other below grade and with an adjacent, body of water provided with aquatic animals.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a circular, oval or otherwise configured multi-level housing structure wherein certain levels are disposed below ground level with a juxtaposed body of water and wherein access is provided to individual family units on both sides of the circular structure.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined dwelling with marine habitat including a ring-like residential housing structure surrounding a containment of water with resident marine life therein and wherein a central-most island is provided and accessible from the inner side of the housing structure.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dwelling installation combined with a marine habitat including a housing structure having a plurality of units on multiple levels and wherein a water containment housing marine life is immediately juxtaposed at least one such level, with direct visual and body access to the water being provided to users of the installation.
- With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed, with reference being made to the attached drawing.
-
- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a typical installation according to the present invention; and
- Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the structure of Figure 1.
- Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.
- Referring now to the drawing, particularly Figures 1 and 2, the present invention will be understood to relate to an on-
shore installation 1 providing co-habitation between residents of a multi-unit housing assembly or structure, generally designated H, and an immediately adjacent containment of water, generally referenced as W. The housing structure H comprises a plurality of levels of stories 2-7 preferably forming an endless or continuous arrangement such as a ring or circular shape. Alternatively, other configurations may be employed such as oval or polygonal configurations. The advantages of a closed or continuous configuration will become apparent hereinafter. - As will be seen from the drawings, the housing structure H is erected within an excavation 8 formed within the soil 9. This excavation 8 extends below the grade or ground level 10 a sufficient depth to allow for the erection of one or more of the building levels below grade as reflected in the drawing. Figure 1 illustrates
levels levels - The excavation 8 is formed with an
outer wall 11 adjacent to the external configuration of the housing structure outsidewall 12. In the case of a circular structure outsidewall 12, theinner wall 13 of the excavation 8 is preferably likewise circular and will be seen to be well spaced inwardly of the building insidewall 14 such that a concentric, relatively enlarged excavatedarea 15 is provided immediately adjacent the building insidewall 14 and radially extends from this latter wall to theinner wall 13. Thefloor 16 of the excavation 8 will be seen to comprise awater containment section 17 and theadjacent building section 18. These two sections may be coplanar as shown or alternatively, disposed at two different levels, as will be described. - As an alternative, regardless of the configuration of the housing structure, it will be appreciated that the water containment W may be constructed so as to position it at any one or more other levels, besides those shown in the drawing.
- An
island 19 may be provided within the confines of the excavationinner wall 13, the latter of which is preferably concentric with thebuilding structure walls upper surface 20 of the island may be disposed at various elevations. As shown in the drawing, thissurface 20 is located substantially at the level ofgrade 10 but may be formed above or, even belowgrade 10, as desired. - Each housing structure story 2-7 includes a plurality of adjacent, individual units F, each of which may comprise a self-contained family unit or living quarters having any desired number of rooms which may be alternatively configured, or alternatively, office space or recreation rooms, etc. The term family unit is to be construed to refer to any desired residential or office enclosure, suitably configured interiorly as desired. Additionally, each unit F may fully extend between the outside and inside
walls building wall respective building wall wall - Each of the building levels may be provided with an external balcony or walkway which may completely encircle the structure H. Thus, it will be seen that balconies or
walkways 21 are provided along theoutside wall 12 while balconies orwalkways 22 are located along theinside wall 14 from the level of the water containment W, upwardly. With this construction, occupants of any unit F or F′, by using the appropriate door 12a, 14a, may walk to any angular location of the building structure H. To offer access between various ones of the levels 2-7 as well as with theground level 10, a plurality of arcuately spaced apartstairway assemblies 23 are provided adjacent the building outsidewall 12 withindividual flights 24 providing communication between each verticallyadjacent building walkway 21. The stairway assemblies may be equi-spaced about the periphery of the building and may comprise any desired number of stairways so as to provide ease of movement by the occupants, between their respective unit F,F′ and theadjacent ground level 10. As noted, the excavationouter wall 11 radially extends beyond the buildingouter wall 12. In this manner, thestairway flights 24 leading to those building levels 5-7 below theground level 10, are readily accommodated. - A plurality of inside
stairways 25 similarly connect the vertically adjacent balconies orwalkways 22 on theinside wall 14 of the building structure H that is, with respect to those stories 2-3 located substantially above the level of theisland top surface 20. This latter access means ofstairways 25 may be radially aligned with the previously described outsidestairways 23 and communicate therewith by means ofradial passageways 26, each disposed between selected adjacent family units F or F′ on those levels 2-3 located above grade level. With the foregoing in mind, it will be seen that occupants of the housing structure H are provided with ready access to and from their respective family unit, and theadjacent ground level 10. - The excavated
area 15 between theisland 19 and insidebuilding wall 14 is intended to retainwater 27 to provide the containment W serving as a habitat for aquatic animals, such as dolphins or porpoises. The outer boundary of this water body will be understood to be provided by an adequately reinforced building insidewall 14, while anappropriate structure base 28 is disposed upon theexcavation floor 17 and avertical wall 29 surrounds theisland 19. Quite obviously that portion of the building insidewall 14 located belowgrade 10 will be constructed of suitable strength to adequately withstand the pressure of thewater 27 within the containment W. To enable occupants of the lower levels 5-7 to closely observe themarine life 30 residing in thewater 27, at least onewindow 31 is provided within theinside wall 14 of each family unit F in the lower levels 5-7. With this construction, a most intimate relationship is established between occupants of the units and themarine life 30 juxtaposed the lower stories 5-7. Although occupants of the above grade units in levels 2-4 do not have the benefit of the direct, below water-level communication by way of thewindows 31 disposed below water level, they may view the aquatic life from thewindows 32 in the inside wall of the upper levels or from thewalkways 22 overlooking thewater 27. If the water containment W is disposed at say, one of theupper levels special windows 31 necessary for an underwater installation, would be incorporated at the level adjacent the containment. - The close relationship between the occupants and the marine life is further enhanced by the provision of
underwater microphones 33 within the confines of thewater 27 and which may be mounted upon any of the three surfaces containing the water, such as theinside housing wall 14. The microphones are connected to a speaker 34 located within each living quarters F,F′ and regulated by suitable switch/volume means (not shown) so that any occupant may selective listen to the distinctive sounds made by the marine life within thewater 27. To enable around the clock appreciation of the marine life, appropriateunderwater lighting units 35 are also provided. Thestructural island wall 24 may be painted or otherwise adorned with any desirable pictorial scenes such as, aquatic plant life, coral etc. - Occupants of the housing structure H may readily utilize the
top surface 20 of theisland 19 for various recreational purposes such as sun bathing, picknicking etc. and access thereto is provided by one or more cross-overs or bridges 36 extending from the lowermost one of theinside walkways 22, to the islandtop surface 20. Preferably, onesuch bridge 36 is radially aligned with each of thepassageways 26 extending through the housing structure. In this manner, users may proceed, say from their automobile parked outside theinstallation 1, directly through thenearest passageway 26 through the structure H, and over one of thebridges 36 to the island. With such construction, users will be free to swim in thewater 27, either from thesurface 20 or thewalkway 22 located adjacent the containment W. It will be understood that the inclusion of the island is not necessary but may be included as a possible refinement, since thewater level 41 may be disposed adjacent any one of the housing structure levels and thereby provide direct access to thewater 27. - Maintenance of the proper physical and chemical conditions of the
water 27 is assured by providingappropriate support equipment 37 within one ormore service rooms 38, preferably located in thelowermost level 7. For example, the temperature of therwater 27 may be regulated throughconduits 39 embedded within thestructural base 28 and which may be supplied with temperature-regulated air or liquid as delivered from theequipment 37, the latter of which may be operated by electricity, gas or fuel oil. Other equipment within theservice room 38 will be understood to operate to maintain the purity or cleanliness of the water and may include well known devices such as filters and automatic testing devices. - When the
installation 1 is constructed in the vicinity of a natural body of sea water, it is proposed that asuitable pipeline 40 will lead from theservice room 38 to the nearest point of the sea water. In such cases, the maintenance of the proper salinity in thewater 27 may be readily achieved by periodically cycling into the containment W, measured volumes of fresh sea water as drawn through thepipeline 40. Theequipment 37 includes a reversible pump so that water may be directed into as well as out of the containment W. This allows maintenance of thewater level 41 at the desired point and permits draining and re-supply of the water, Thepipeline 40 may be utilized thusly, both as a supply pipe as well as a drain line. - Should any servicing of the walls forming the water containment W be required, or if one or more specimens of the
marine life 30 need special medical or other attention, means must be provided to conveniently hold the aquatic animal(s) in an alternate location, with minimal disruption. Accordingly, a holdingtank 42 is provided in thelevel 5. Such tank occupies the space of one or more family units F and includes closure means such as a displaceable door orgate 43 in the area of theinside wall 14. With this construction, water from the containment will be seen to also flow and substantially fill theholding tank 42 and when it becomes necessary to place any of the marine life therein, the door orgate 43 will be opened and the aquatic life herded therein. If the intent is to isolate one or more specimens of marine life within the holdingtank 42, then water 27 from the containment W is allowed to continue to co-mingle with that within the tank in order to maintain consistent physical and chemical parameters of the water. On the other hand, if the containment W is to be drained, then thedoor 43 would obviously be sealed, in a water-tight manner. In this regards it will be appreciated that the samemechanical equipment 37 servicing the containment W, will also be utilized to service water as retained in theholding tank 42. - To minimize variations in the temperature and salinity of the
water 27 and to provide a stabilized environment for residents between the bounds of the housing structure insidewall 14, a dome-like enclosure orroof 44 is provided and which fully spans the open space between the inside wall.
Claims (11)
a housing assembly including a plurality of vertically or horizontally stacked levels having an inside wall and an outside wall,
each said level provided with a plurality of adjacently connected individual units,
one or more said levels defining lowermost levels and engageable with the ground,
a water containment located juxtaposed one said housing assembly wall and disposed laterally adjacent at least one of said levels,
windows within said one said housing assembly wall permitting occupants within said units in at least one of said levels to view into water within said water containment,
access means exteriorly of one said housing assembly wall connected to all said levels and accessible from ground level, and
said access means permitting occupants of the housing assembly to move between said levels and to have direct entry into water within said containment.
said housing assembly defines a circular configuration.
a dome-like roof extending from said one said housing assembly wall and overlying said water containment.
one or more microphones within said water containment, and a speaker within at least certain of said units, whereby sounds produced by marine life within said water containment may be monitored by occupants within said units.
walkways exteriorly of at least one said housing assembly wall,
doors in said one said housing assembly wall providing communication between said units and said walkways, and said access means communicating with said walkways.
walkways exteriorly of said housing assembly inside and outside walls,
at least one passageway disposed between adjacent ones of said units and extending between said inside and outside walls, and
said passageway communicating with said access means.
lighting means adjacent said one said housing assembly wall of said lowermost levels adapted to project light into water within said water containment.
a service room within one said lowermost level containing equipment adapted to regulate climatic conditions of water within said water containment.
a holding tank disposed within one said level at an elevation substantially coplanar with the surface of water within said water containment.
said water containment defines a ring configuration concentrically disposed within said circular housing assembly and,
an island centrally disposed within the confines of said water containment.
a bridge spanning said water containment and joining said walkway exteriorly of said housing assembly inside wall to said island.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/182,201 US4837989A (en) | 1988-04-15 | 1988-04-15 | Combined above and below grade dwelling with marine habitat |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0401411A1 true EP0401411A1 (en) | 1990-12-12 |
EP0401411B1 EP0401411B1 (en) | 1994-08-10 |
Family
ID=22667447
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP89110411A Expired - Lifetime EP0401411B1 (en) | 1988-04-15 | 1989-06-08 | Combined above and below grade dwelling with marine habitat |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4837989A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0401411B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE109855T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU620103B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE68917465T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2061793T3 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2019205232A1 (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2019-10-31 | Song Zhiyuan | Ecological productive recyclable architecture of sufficiently utilizing ground-floor and top-floor spaces of buildings |
Families Citing this family (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4958465A (en) * | 1989-09-27 | 1990-09-25 | Levy Jacques S | Combined above and below grade dwelling with marine habitat |
US5603189A (en) * | 1996-02-01 | 1997-02-18 | Levy; Jacques S. | Combined dwelling, marine habitat, and educational building complex |
AU719677B2 (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 2000-05-18 | Ishida Shipbuilding & Construction Co. Ltd | An underwater sightseeing craft |
AU3763499A (en) * | 1998-04-29 | 1999-11-16 | Joseph L. Woytowitz Jr. | Wildlife homes |
US6073573A (en) * | 1998-09-24 | 2000-06-13 | Gruber; Matthew | Floating multi-unit dwelling |
ES2152170B1 (en) * | 1998-11-30 | 2001-08-16 | Icia Ingenieria Y Consultoria | DEPOSIT FOR IMMERSION PRACTICES. |
US6182408B1 (en) | 1999-02-18 | 2001-02-06 | Joseph G. Poehler | Solarium integrated multi-unit building |
US6401647B1 (en) | 2001-01-12 | 2002-06-11 | Lorenzo E. Boston | Floatation building structure |
DE202006020044U1 (en) * | 2006-09-01 | 2007-09-27 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | High-pressure device |
RU2347050C2 (en) * | 2007-03-01 | 2009-02-20 | Владимир Николаевич Давыдов | Multi-purpose construction facility including seaquarium and group of shopping and entertainment facilities |
ITBZ20070012A1 (en) * | 2007-03-06 | 2008-09-06 | Helmut Gasser | RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE EXPOSED TO TWO DIFFERENT CLIMATIC AREAS |
US8371073B2 (en) * | 2010-03-04 | 2013-02-12 | Michael Fuller Architects, Pc | Building with integrated natural systems |
CN102140861B (en) * | 2011-01-16 | 2015-12-02 | 卫晓能 | Ecological garden intelligent residence |
EP2741955B1 (en) | 2011-08-09 | 2019-08-28 | Jurong Shipyard Pte. Ltd. | Stable offshore floating depot |
GB2529494B (en) * | 2014-12-22 | 2016-09-07 | Nasibov Emin | Climate controlled waterside enclosure |
US10568305B2 (en) * | 2015-09-28 | 2020-02-25 | Georgetown University | Systems and methods for automated control of animal training and discrimination learning |
JP7012449B2 (en) * | 2017-03-30 | 2022-01-28 | 清水建設株式会社 | Underwater structure and construction method of underwater structure |
NO344279B1 (en) * | 2017-11-21 | 2019-10-28 | Unitech Offshore As | Farming facilities |
WO2021150180A1 (en) * | 2020-01-21 | 2021-07-29 | Galataport İstanbul Li̇man İşletmeci̇li̇ği̇ Ve Yatirimlari Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇ | Cruise port operation system and method |
CN112154964B (en) * | 2020-10-14 | 2022-05-13 | 武汉中科瑞华生态科技股份有限公司 | Aquaculture waste water circulation treatment's fish-vegetable intergrowth system |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3179084A (en) * | 1962-01-05 | 1965-04-20 | Kenneth S Norris | Aquarium |
CH500657A (en) * | 1969-04-18 | 1970-12-31 | Intamin Ag | Sightseeing facility |
US3895495A (en) * | 1973-01-23 | 1975-07-22 | Shigeru Akazaki | Pleasure boat for observation in the sea |
US4640214A (en) * | 1985-01-18 | 1987-02-03 | Bruns John H | Modular multi-storage building |
DE3813940A1 (en) * | 1987-05-12 | 1988-12-15 | Leipzig Ingenieurbau | Large annular-channel-like aquarium |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US739961A (en) * | 1903-01-30 | 1903-09-29 | Bernhard H Weisker | Submarine building. |
US3708991A (en) * | 1971-02-19 | 1973-01-09 | W Barkley | Submarine home |
US3791080A (en) * | 1971-09-10 | 1974-02-12 | J Sjoberg | Floating or land based modular assembly for housing or commercial use |
US4186532A (en) * | 1976-12-07 | 1980-02-05 | Kahn Morris S | Underwater observatory |
-
1988
- 1988-04-15 US US07/182,201 patent/US4837989A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1989
- 1989-06-08 AT AT89110411T patent/ATE109855T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-06-08 DE DE68917465T patent/DE68917465T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-06-08 ES ES89110411T patent/ES2061793T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-06-08 EP EP89110411A patent/EP0401411B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-06-15 AU AU36421/89A patent/AU620103B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3179084A (en) * | 1962-01-05 | 1965-04-20 | Kenneth S Norris | Aquarium |
CH500657A (en) * | 1969-04-18 | 1970-12-31 | Intamin Ag | Sightseeing facility |
US3895495A (en) * | 1973-01-23 | 1975-07-22 | Shigeru Akazaki | Pleasure boat for observation in the sea |
US4640214A (en) * | 1985-01-18 | 1987-02-03 | Bruns John H | Modular multi-storage building |
DE3813940A1 (en) * | 1987-05-12 | 1988-12-15 | Leipzig Ingenieurbau | Large annular-channel-like aquarium |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
CIVIL ENGINEERING - ASCE, June 1975, page 79; "High-rise buildings may be built over urban reservoirs" * |
Scientific American, June 1938, page 333; "Unconventional aquaria" * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2019205232A1 (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2019-10-31 | Song Zhiyuan | Ecological productive recyclable architecture of sufficiently utilizing ground-floor and top-floor spaces of buildings |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE68917465T2 (en) | 1994-11-24 |
ES2061793T3 (en) | 1994-12-16 |
AU3642189A (en) | 1991-01-17 |
DE68917465D1 (en) | 1994-09-15 |
US4837989A (en) | 1989-06-13 |
ATE109855T1 (en) | 1994-08-15 |
EP0401411B1 (en) | 1994-08-10 |
AU620103B2 (en) | 1992-02-13 |
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